Category Archives: Walks

West Acre Estate.

Yesterday I joined up with my local Ramblers group for a 10 mile walk around the west acre estate.walk 003

The starting point was at a village called Gayton Thorpe, the village next to where I live , so I could hardly miss out on this walk.

I woke to a glorious sunny day just perfect for walking and hot enough to wear shorts too.

22 people turned up for the walk, which was mainly on permissive paths, and always quite close to where I live.

Most paths I had never walked before and only occasionally did we come across a path I had been on before.

I was hoping walk 002to remember this walk for another day with Geoff, but there is no way I can plot it out on my map. That’s where having a GPS would have been good as it could have plotted the route for me.

When heading back to Gayton Thorpe we came across a mass of blackberry bushes full of lovely plump blackberries so tomorrow I will be off to pick them if no one has beaten me too it, I may just get that jam made yet.

Day 6 Hotel Castel di vergio to Refuge de Manganu

Friday 22/06/07

An early start after a much better sleep in the tent. GR20 135

while packing the tent away the guy next to us told us that a fox had come into the camp site and had spent ages sniffing round our tent… all I can say is that I was glad I was asleep by then !

We had a good breakfast at 6am and was on our way by 6.30am

It was a much cooler day today which was nice after the heat of yesterday.

It was almost like aGR20 127 normal days walking, with little rocks and hardly any ascent or decent, so you could stride out for a change.

At times it felt like being in cowboy country as there was a lot of horse riders about who galloped past with no care for any walkers.

We also had a nice stretch along the Lac du Ninu.

We saw some fantastic trees too that had been molded by the wind.

It was a very easy days walking taking us 6 hours to reach refuge de manganu.

While at the refuge a group of horse riders turned up making a great sight.

Following Geoff (day 4)

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Tonight Geoff is in a camp site at Saint Jean-Pied-de-Paul.

This is where he started his Camino Trek walking to Finisterre,which was thought to be the end of the world in medieval times.

Good job Geoff did take his tent as he was unable to find any accommodation in SJPP… all the rooms were full But at least he got a decent meal and will be ready for the next 20 miles.

He did ring me but not for long as his battery is almost flat….he’s in his tent wondering how we both ever managed to get into it on the GR20 🙂 

I wish I had the GR10 book then I could write a little more about the walk, may check the local library out on Monday.

Following Geoff (Day 3 )

 

Tonight Geoff is in Etienimagene de Baigorry after walking 16km, with 1260m of ascent and 1248m of decent, this took him 7 hours.

He rang me tonight and sounded well if a little tired,I think his plan is to walk to Saint-Jean-pied-de-port next where he will take a few hours rest.

Yesterday he had trouble getting food so has used up most of his supplies and tonight he had to buy and cook pasta for his dinner. So I hope he stocks up with food again and looks after himself well.

Day 5 Auberge U Vallone to Hotel Castel di Vergio

Thursday 21/06/07

After a very restless night in the tent ( sleeping in a tent takes a bit of getting used too,especially when 2 are sharing a one man tent )

We woke up later than usual and got a breakfast too.

first thing I noticed today was that I felt a little more relaxed as to me the hardest day was over, I could stop worrying about the Cirque nowimage and just enjoy the rest of the walk.

We finally set off at 7.30 for an easier days walking , we hoped.

The first part of the walk was through the pine trees ,a gentle steady climb before turning steep and ending with a scramble up to the top of the Bocca di Frogiale.

It was very hot today and walking by the golo river gave us plenty of opportunity to go skinny dipping,in all the wonderful rock pools,with fantastic waterfalls too

As it was so hot the last stretch to the hotel seemed to take forever , so it felt good to finally get there.

Free camping here and warm showers too.

Following Geoff (Day 1)

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This is where Geoff was this morning in Hendaye where he started his GR10 walk

Right by the beach as you can see

 

 

 

 

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This is where he is tonight, at Sare after walking 31km

So that means he has done the first 2 stages in one day.

Just what you would expect from him.

Geoff’s Route

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This is Geoff’s walking route, plotted on Memory map and put into his GPS.

He has marked all the refuges onto the route.

There are plenty of them so no need to take his tent just a bivvy bag,this will keep the weight of his ruc-sac well down.

His average walking day seems to be around 13 miles,although there are some shorter days.

Knowing Geoff he will try to double up a few days,and try to get as far as he can as quick as he can.

He has new walking boots…lets hope they are comfortable and give him no blisters,as I wont be there this time to massage cream into his feet every night 🙂

Nene way and lyveden way

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As I had to collect my son from Higham ferrers we decided it was a good  opportunity to go and do some walking in Northamptonshire.

I especially like walking in this area with its nice rolling countryside.

We parked the car in Thrapston and picked up the Nene way along to Aldwinkle and Wadenhoe.GR20_082707_007

We stopped at The Kings Head in Wadenhoe for a pint by the river Nene, before picking up the Lyveden way footpath.Which is Northamptonshire smallest country path.

We then walked along to Lyveden new Bield  an intriguing Elizabethan lodge and moated garden, before making our way back to Islip and on to Thrapston.

A total of 14 miles in glorious sunshine.